Cleveland Extends German Relief Drive

July 11, 1933

Cleveland (Jul. 10)

By unanimous approval of 500 campaign workers at a luncheon meeting, the Cleveland campaign for German-Jewish relief was extended for another week. Judge Maurice Bernon, executive chairman of the campaign, which is sponsored by the Jewish Welfare Federation, announced that to date a total of $82,000 has been received in certified pledges.

Judge Bernon said he was confident that the quota of $150,000 would be reached within the next few days. He based his prediction on the fact that many of the pledges could be raised following the release of large deposits soon to be distributed here by two of the biggest commercial banks.

Morris Rothenberg, president of the Zionist Organization of America, one of the signers of the world appeal for German Jewish relief, came here from Chicago to address the meeting in place of Dr. Weizmann, who was prevented by a slight illness from attending. Mr. Rothenberg pointed out that “hatred against the Jews is so imbedded in the hearts of Nazi followers that the next generation of Germans will persecute the Jews even more than they are doing today.”

He cited the fact that 3,000 of the 500,000 Jews in Germany have already gone to Palestine. Eventually, he said, Palestine will be able to support a population of 2,000,000. “German Jews must look for another place to live,” he declared. “Neighboring countries have proved most hospitable, but they can give refuge only to a few, and to them for but a short period. Immigration to Palestine remains the most fundamental solution of their problem.